Chapter 27: Riot (2)

Hwajuyeon’s suggestion to delete all the posts was clearly a joke. It was impractical.

Even aside from that, I knew moderators had a limit on how many posts they could delete—around a thousand, I think—and the current posting rate made a complete purge impossible.

I needed another solution. Ignoring it was an option, but the intensity of the backlash suggested it wouldn’t work.

The group chat was buzzing with suggestions: implementing a code, adding banned words. As a new assistant mod, I struggled to understand everything.

…I’ll just follow whatever they decide. I stared at my phone; the group chat had reached a decision.

[Hwajuyeon: Let’s set an 8-digit code and ban “head mod.” Please delete the remaining posts.]

[Baek Hwayeon: Okay.]

They chose an 8-digit code. Even as a newbie, I was familiar with this method in online communities.

I’d mostly been on the receiving end… but I knew it.

Eight digits? Even a 4-digit code was annoying; 8 digits would be hellish. And the convoluted code would slow down posting significantly.

But compared to deleting posts one by one, this felt… satisfying. Let them experience it.

This code, while seemingly a cheat code, only affected casual users. Casual users were the problem, and this would buy time.

The other method, banning words, was ineffective. Banning “head mod” wouldn’t stop people from using variations with special characters.

But combining it with the code would create synergy. Hwajuyeon likely planned that. I wouldn’t argue with her decision; she’d managed this large gallery for a long time.

Still, I was worried. Was she pretending to be okay when she wasn’t? I hoped it was just unnecessary worry…

After a moment of hesitation, I sent Hwajuyeon a private message, feeling slightly reassured. My current priority was managing the gallery now that the code and banned words were in place, with the posting rate significantly reduced.

[Title: They’re deleting posts and now implementing a code lol][3]

[Author: 00]

This is excessive. Managing everything without an apology is a power play.

[Likes: 8 / Dislikes: 3]

[All Comments]

00: But as a mod, it’s right to manage the ruined gallery.

Loo: Manage what? lol It’s already ruined. They should admit their mistake and apologize. Deleting posts is wrong in this situation.

Loo: Wow, this person has their life invested in this gallery. It’s pathetic.

Loo: Look at them dodging the issue. Head mod, log out.

00: It’s fine if they kept quiet, but they’re deleting posts indiscriminately; that’s why people are angry.

Loo: The head mod always deletes negative posts, but now it’s exploded.

[Title: Why are they deleting every post criticizing them?][12]

[Author: 00]

They’re deleting criticism, not just sarcastic comments. Is this a dictatorship? If so, they should create their own gallery.

[Likes: 3 / Dislikes: 2]

[All Comments]

Kim Somi: If you have complaints, tell the head mod directly. Don’t hide behind a computer and complain.

Loo: If that’s the case, stop posting here and create your own private chat.

Kim Somi: The original poster is too cowardly to face them; they’re sending everyone away; what a pathetic loser.

Loo: It’s disgusting how they’re dodging the issue.

Kim Somi: You’re dodging the issue! Come to the meetup! Let’s talk face-to-face!

Kim Somi: Are you still typing the code? Or are you too scared to participate? This is why casual users are so annoying.

00: True.

Loo: Regular users are defending the head mod. This is frustrating.

The comments increasingly showed the conflict between regular and casual users. While there was initial playfulness, it became a bitter argument.

…

I felt bad for the regulars defending the head mod, but deleting the posts was right. Stopping pointless arguments was necessary.

Deleting posts gradually slowed the posting rate. Before, I’d been worried about deleting everything; now, it was easy and efficient.

The trolls vanished; regulars who’d left returned, and the posts became more positive.

But were they trolls? Seeing the casual users rebelling against the abuse of power made me question that.

I deleted posts from casual users who were rebelling now that the intensity had decreased. Ah, I don’t know. If they’re called trolls, they’re trolls. What can I do?

There’s a saying: failure is rebellion; success is revolution.

The casual users were defeated; if they didn’t want to be called trolls, their rebellion should’ve been successful.

…I was enjoying moderating. This wasn’t good. My mindset had been corrupted.

The regulars, sensing victory, returned, targeting the casual users.

[Title: It’s time to leave if the outrage fades…][35]

[Author: 00]

An 8-digit code; if the outrage was that strong, it’s better to just leave…

[Likes: 57 / Dislikes: 37]

[All Comments]

ThisPostWasWrittenByACat: Pathetic, only downvoting.

00: Shut up.

00: Casual users are talking?

00: Typing an 8-digit code is impressive.

00: Insulting people when you have nothing to say is pathetic.

ThisPostWasWrittenByACat: Excuse me, your nickname is the most pathetic.

00: The outrage hasn’t faded lol Get ready to leave.

Loo: Pathetic…

[Title: Is it just me, or is it sad to see the casual users riot and then get suppressed?][7]

[Author: Pandaing]

(Girl holding her legs, looking at the camera)

No, it’s fun. Every moment is exciting.

[Likes: 37 / Dislikes: 21]

[All Comments]

TangHuLuYakwa: Seriously, it’s so much fun lol

Pandaing: lol

TangHuLuYakwa: The casual users are making it more fun.

[Title: But as a regular user, I dislike the head mod’s actions.][18]

[Author: YuriGalleryUser]

Upvote if you’re a casual user who rushed in to upvote, then downvoted after reading the post lol

[Likes: 16 / Dislikes: 15]

[All Comments]

Ai: The upvotes from regulars show several casual users upvoted then downvoted after reading the post.

YuriGalleryUser: Seriously lol

[Title: Official) Current status of casual users lol][16]

[Author: LikeableRegular]

One click, half the outrage lol

[Likes: 42 / Dislikes: 5]

[All Comments]

ThisPostWasWrittenByACat: Sh*t lol

00: What if we regulars make an anti-regular account?

LikeableRegular: Do it.

The comments showed the growing conflict between regulars and casual users. While initially playful, it became destructive.

…

I felt bad for the regulars defending the head mod, but deleting the posts was necessary. Stopping pointless arguments was crucial.

Deleting posts slowed the posting rate. Before, I’d worried about how long it would take; now, it was efficient.

The trolls were gone, replaced by posts from regulars who’d been absent.

But were they actually trolls? Seeing the casual users rebelling against the abuse of power made me question that.

I deleted posts from casual users now that the intensity had decreased. Ah, I don’t know. If they’re called trolls, they’re trolls. What can I do?

There’s a saying: failure is rebellion; success is revolution.

The casual users were defeated. If they didn’t want to be called trolls, their rebellion should’ve been successful.

…I was enjoying moderating. This wasn’t good. My mindset was already corrupted.

The regulars, sensing victory, returned, targeting the casual users.

[Title: It’s time to leave if the outrage fades…][35]

[Author: 00]

An 8-digit code would wipe them out; it’s better to leave quietly…

[Likes: 57 / Dislikes: 37]

[All Comments]

ThisPostWasWrittenByACat: Pathetic, only downvoting.

00: Shut up.

00: Casual users are talking?

00: Typing an 8-digit code is impressive.

00: Insulting people when you have nothing to say is pathetic.

ThisPostWasWrittenByACat: Excuse me, your nickname is the most pathetic.

00: The outrage hasn’t faded lol Get ready to leave.

Loo: Pathetic…

[Title: Is it just me, or is it sad to see the casual users riot and then get suppressed?][7]

[Author: Pandaing]

(Girl holding her legs, looking at the camera)

No, it’s fun. Every moment is exciting.

[Likes: 37 / Dislikes: 21]

[All Comments]

TangHuLuYakwa: Seriously, it’s so much fun lol

Pandaing: lol

TangHuLuYakwa: The casual users are making it more fun.

[Title: But as a regular user, I dislike the head mod’s actions.][18]

[Author: YuriGalleryUser]

Upvote if you’re a casual user who rushed in to upvote, then downvoted after reading the post lol

[Likes: 16 / Dislikes: 15]

[All Comments]

Ai: The upvotes from regulars show several casual users upvoted then downvoted.

YuriGalleryUser: Seriously lol

[Title: Official) Current status of casual users lol][16]

[Author: LikeableRegular]

One click, half the outrage lol

[Likes: 42 / Dislikes: 5]

[All Comments]

ThisPostWasWrittenByACat: Sh*t lol

00: What if we regulars make an anti-regular account?

LikeableRegular: Do it.

The humor was undeniable, especially the edits. This was dedication.

The gallery was stabilizing; I could rest. I put away my laptop and picked up my phone.

I’d messaged Hwajuyeon; had she replied? Checking KakaoTalk, I found her reply to my question.

[Hwajuyeon: No…]

[Hwajuyeon: Jia-ssi, are you free to meet now?]

What?